Development of phytoplankton of Lake Vesijärvi during recovery from eutrophication

Abstract

Wastewaters discharged to Lake Vesijärvi ruined its recreational value and demanded mitigation measures. In the mid-1970s, the diversion of wastewaters elsewhere reduced epilimnetic total phosphorus concentration by ~ 40% from > 100 mg P m−3 in 5 years, but this was not enough to eliminate cyanobacterial blooms. In 1979–1984, hypolimnetic oxygenation was applied to decrease internal nutrient loading, but pumping warm surface water to the hypolimnion probably intensified gas ebullition from the sediment, carrying nutrients to the epilimnion and intensifying cyanobacterial blooms. Intensive fish removal in 1989–1994 was more successful. Five years of summer trawling removed over three-quarters of roach and smelt stock, and after the two most intensive fishing years, TP and chlorophyll concentrations abruptly decreased by ~ 35%. During subsequent years fish removal continued at ~ 30% intensity and maintained chlorophyll and total nutrient concentrations at a lower level until the end of the study. At the same time, the frequency of cyanobacterial blooms decreased from annual to twice per decade. Larger-scale oxygenation after 2010 no longer resulted in ebullition, and its effect on phytoplankton was indistinguishable from natural variability. Consequently, it was abandoned. The intensity of fish removal needed to maintain the present status of the lake is still awaiting evaluation.